If you spent more on the DJ, and the cake than you did your photographer than you need to go back to square 1!!The photography is the most important role at your wedding, and the pics will be around forever, long after the cake has been eaten, and the DJ has stop spinning records. Don't get an inexperienced photographer just to save a few bucks, because you will regret it every time you look at those awful pics!

Budget, budget. In the end when the evening is over, when your children are grown, when life takes dips and mountain top experiences, the photos are the memories that bring your wedding back to life. As a photographer, we recommend for our clients that you set your photography budget first. We use a questionairre that assists brides in their type of photography desired and how they would like their photos preserved. A professional photographer is not as expensive as you might think.

just started to look for venues and feeling a little over whelmed with everything. my fiance and i only have the colors picked out and thats all the help he will give me. it feels like this is goin to b a night mare till the wedding

Of course, you could under spend on your DJ and have an album full of pictures that remind you of your wedding where evrybody had a lousy time. A good DJ is about far more than just spinning CDs. A good DJ helps you plan your event, coordinates with the venue, photographer, and videographer. Makes sure everything you've chosen happens the way you want it to. Has all the music you've requested. Thoroughly understands proper cultureral wedding methodology. Is a world class emcee(uncommon to say the least). Can entertain all of your guests from the youngest to the oldest. And understands that there's far more to entertainment than just spinning a great dance party. But go ahead, spend more on your wedding cake than your DJ, tell us all how that works out for you. But, at least you'll have fabulous photos from that $6000 photographer to remember it all. ~ http://mysticdjs.com

I am just familiarizing myself with the idea of a "forum". I am not sure who the audience is here. But, at the risk of sounding self-serving (I am a PA event planner), remember EXPERIENCE COUNTS. When setting a budget, first - talk to someone who knows weddings/events. The modest consultation fee for such guidance will be well worth it. You will be more confident moving forward.

When planning your wedding please make sure you keep this in mind, if you do not have a venue then you do not have a date. Keep the date flexible especially if you are wanting to be married during the busy season. Venues book quickly so please do not have your heart set on a date before you find your venue. Happy Planning

what do you so when you found the perfect venue and paid your deposit and started making payments. then you get a call that they have lost the building, but they have two other locations for you to choose from. well one location is too small and the other is not up to par. now I have to find two locations for my wedding on august 2, 2014 because all my other vendors have received their deposits and cannot give me another date. please help my budget is $1300 looking in Cleveland Ohio area would prefer Euclid

The photography is the most important role at your wedding, and the pics will be around forever, long after the cake has been eaten, and the DJ has stop spinning records. Don't get an inexperienced photographer just to save a few bucks, because you will regret it every time you look at those awful pics!

I couldn't disagree with you more about the &quotmost important role at your wedding.&quot You're right -- don't get an inexperienced photographer to capture your wedding day. IF bad pictures are taken, the reception is not a bust. The FACT of the matter is, when the guests leave a reception, the TWO things they'll remember is the food and the entertainment. The entertainment makes or breaks a reception. And a horrendous DJ could absolutely ruin what is supposed to be a celebration.

But, I don't doubt that DJ Entertainers and photographers are in the same boat when it comes to brides deciding to go cheap. Big mistake! HUGE!edited by jcpro1036901 on 10/28/2013

what do you so when you found the perfect venue and paid your deposit and started making payments. then you get a call that they have lost the building, but they have two other locations for you to choose from. well one location is too small and the other is not up to par. now I have to find two locations for my wedding on august 2, 2014 because all my other vendors have received their deposits and cannot give me another date. please help my budget is $1300 looking in Cleveland Ohio area would prefer Euclid

MsTee...I am in the Cleveland/Akron area. What venue closed up? Are you in need of other vendors for Aug. 2? You can email me -- click my profile, it should be in there!

Once you've chosen your date, time and venue - don't forget the one thing you cannot get married without......a wedding minister/officiant! I'm in the northeast Ohio area and will travel as needed. www.OhioWeddingLady.com

The budget is the most important starting point. This will change throughout the process. Taking some money budgeted for the cake and putting more money on the honeymoon is a common practice in weddings and any planner should expect this and roll with the punches in style. It is important to stay in the realms of the budget no matter where he money goes. Like my momma always said, "Don't spend all your money on a house and not have enough money left over for curtains."

You need to look at rates and make some calls, emails and TALK TO THE VENDORS!!! DO NOT hire for the lowest bidder. That works in construction, but not for your wedding.

I highly recommend you find out what kind of personality your photographer/DJ/caterer has. More than likely if you hire for the lowest rate you might get someone that clashes with your style. And in the end, you'll feel cheated that you spent as little as possible and still received horrible service.

dont fret i too as two of my bridesmaids told me they are both married that men are going to show up and you are left on your own i feeling overwhelmed too have eight months to plan have the venue booked and the bridesmaids and my dress bought and paid for ,looking for a dj ,my fiancee is like whatever you want to do is fine with me im lik oy good luck push forward your wedding will be amazing

just got engaged. our budget is going to be really small. It's my second and his to, I have only lived here in Vidor a few months. It will be a very small wedding. We have our date set, flowers, color scheme, and we were thinking of doing our own home cooking. with all this said where would be a good place to have a small wedding at?

Of course, you could under spend on your DJ and have an album full of pictures that remind you of your wedding where evrybody had a lousy time. A good DJ is about far more than just spinning CDs. A good DJ helps you plan your event, coordinates with the venue, photographer, and videographer. Makes sure everything you've chosen happens the way you want it to. Has all the music you've requested. Thoroughly understands proper cultureral wedding methodology. Is a world class emcee(uncommon to say the least). Can entertain all of your guests from the youngest to the oldest. And understands that there's far more to entertainment than just spinning a great dance party. But go ahead, spend more on your wedding cake than your DJ, tell us all how that works out for you. But, at least you'll have fabulous photos from that $6000 photographer to remember it all. ~ http://mysticdjs.com

I speak to brides in the planning process all the time at bridal shows and the one thing that pops up more than anything else is that the music is the most important item to make sure the event is a success If music is important than don't cheap out

The bottom line to the budget is simple.... What can you afford? That said, "CHEAP" on any aspect of your event will yield the result purchased in almost every case. Get the BEST professional you can afford with EVERY vendor. This is not to say the more they cost, the better they are, but if you get a $300 DJ, $50 cake, $400 photographer, and a $500 venue.... Don't expect much.

Yes!! You MUST have a great photographer, a great DJ and great food! But if budget allows--and I'm willing to work with anyone's budget--you'll want a little icing on the cake! Caricatures for your guests is that icing! Everyone laughs at their friends being drawn, and those that have it done, have a little something extra to bring home that will remind them of your wedding, and will last a lifetime! If your wedding is in Florida, give me a call or email me!--Marsha Eaton Caricatures, bunceneaton@att.net, 407-277-6448

just started to look for venues and feeling a little over whelmed with everything. my fiance and i only have the colors picked out and thats all the help he will give me. it feels like this is goin to b a night mare till the wedding

Luckily my fiance is very willing and wanting to help in anyway possibly. He wants to be a part of it all. However were looking at December 6th and all the venues are either booked for Xmas parties or have them on hold for company parties who will be calling. I don't know exactly what the weather will be. And in West Texas you really never know. But I'd really like a large empty barn have a quick ceremony outside and then the reception in the barn with finger foods and dancing. Midland, Texas, anyone have any ideas. Beginning to panic just a little.

1. Set a budget2. Finalize your guest list and number of guests3. Decide for a theme of the wedding4. Make a list of what needs to be done5.Make a list of what you want6.Reconcile your wants with your budget

I do agree. These are really great step for planning a perfect wedding. Before these days you just have to decide and set your wedding budget that will help you in spending on each and every wedding stuff

just started to look for venues and feeling a little over whelmed with everything. my fiance and i only have the colors picked out and thats all the help he will give me. it feels like this is goin to b a night mare till the wedding

I know that feeling of being overwhelmed . My wedding date is 01-17-2015 and I have no venue, All I have is my wedding dress, 183 days away and that is it.

I think there is something missing here, but it's a great list to prepare a wedding ceremony!wedding dresses, jewelry, gifts or invitations, and these are the important element for the wedding ceremony!!

I see everyone on here saying to get the best, but you don't have to spend money & get the best to have a beautiful wedding for YOU. My wedding? Free DJ, Free Cake, Free Photographer, ~$30 for our favors, Paid $200 for wedding & reception area, had ~200 people attend, Pot luck reception, $200 Dress, $160 for homemade vests for the Groom & his guys (which the were able to KEEP), made my own centerpieces from Goodwill mason jars & our own cut wood pieces, made my own cake topper for $5 & my sister-in-law made us a personalized quilt for everyone to sign. *Note through all of this I am by no means a crafty-person at all!

Do what makes YOU happy. I may have been stressed, but my wedding turned out Exactly how I wanted & I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Wedding is something from which we expect a lot of fun. And DJ does exactly that, not only for the couple but also for the guests. And professional DJ services it's not just about the music, it's the ambience created by the combination of music, lighting, and the DJ.

I keep reading about photographers trying to justify their exorbitant rates- saying that photography should cost more than the cake and the music?!!!!! Get a grip, I'm sorry, but in this day and age when it's just point and shoot photography, all you need is a camera rental and a patient person to snap the pics. As a parent who has been repeatedly shaken down by &quotphotographers&quot who will literally hold your pics (even your baby pictures!!!!!) hostage until you pay their astronomical rates, this is a part of society that needs to CHANGE. Photos are for the memories, and if every time you look at your photos you think about how greedy and pretentious your photographer was, I'm sorry, you have been done a disservice. I can't wait for this industry to settle- people are obsessed with the image right now, but soon enough they will realize that they themselves are providing the colour, life and animation- the photographer just presses a button, this madness will cease.

Just a little word of advice: Don't get dead set on the colors without having a venue chosen. Your color scheme may not go with what you end up choosing as your venue.

just started to look for venues and feeling a little over whelmed with everything. my fiance and i only have the colors picked out and thats all the help he will give me. it feels like this is goin to b a night mare till the wedding

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